continued
13th. After breakfast this
morning I started for Penderyn with [?] on the way I
called at John Evans and there took dinner.
After which I continued on my way on the road I encountered a rain storm
and got wet. I reached Gellyfynonan. My
uncle and sister felt very dry towards me.
I slept the night at said place with uncle.
14th. My uncle told me
that the Latter day Saints were the lowest order of religion that there is upon
the face of the earth. And asked if I was not going to leave them. His heart was streched
greatly this morning, he gave me 3 shillings and my
sisters 5 shillings. I bid them farewell
and continued on my journey and called at my Uncle Edward and stopped a little
with him and his family. Partook of some
food with them and bid them goodby. Continued on my way reached Telarmorgrig late in the evening where my brother Rees and
his family live, and there slept the night.
15th. Thomas Lwellyn one of my cousins husbands came unto my brothers
house today. I had a long conversation
with him. He said that the scripture did
not mean what they said. He is a
sprinkler and does not believe in baptism by immersion. I slept the night at Tylarmorgrig.
16th. I remained at home
all day. Nothing of any consequence
transpired. My brother said that he
would like to see Salt
Lake City. I slept the night at my brothers
house.
17th. After breakfast
this morning I took farewell of my brother Rees and his family. On my way I called at John Owen?s house also at the house of Evan Harries who gave me
a little information concerning my ancestors.
After which I proceeded on my way.
I reached Merthry and called at 41 Mary Street. After taking
refreshments I went to the bath house and took a bath. In the evening in company with William Jones
we took a walk through town. I observed
one thing that the young people are allowed great liberties here Saturday
nights they are out in the public houses until midnight and after. I
slept the night at 41
Mary Street.
18th. I met with the Merthry saints at 2 p.m.
and was called to address them upon the necessity of living pure before the
Lord. In the evening the room was
crowded. When E. Edwards and myself were called to address them upon the gathering there
were a good spirit present and the audience felt well. We bid them goodby. I slept the night at 41 Mary Street.
19th. About noon Br. Calep Parry and John
Roberts arrived from Monmouth. We spent
a little time in their company after which in company with D. John we visited
Edward Edwards Clwydyfagwyr we conversed a little
with him and his family and partook of some refreshments and returned unto Merthyr to the conference house where we spent some very
agreeable times with the breathern and sisters. We were entertained with songs from sister Phillips and several other sisters. I slept the night at 41 Mary Street.
20th. In company with D.
John we visited Mizes Jones. She said that she would go to Utah if Moses her husband would send her and the family a
pass. We partook of a good meal with
her. In the evening in company with
Richard Thomas, Jane Davies and Elinor Jones we
visited Morlais Castle which is situated on the top of a high mountain. It commands the country all around for
miles. It is now a heap of ruins. Around it there is a mote cut in the rock
about 50 by 20 feet it is about 3 miles from Merthyr Tzdvil. We took
supper at Jane Davies house. We slept
the night at 41
Mary Street.
21st. I visited many of the brethern
during the day. In company with D. John
we took a walk through town and called at Jane Davies she gave me a present of
2 shillings in the evening D. John gave me 10 shillings on tithing. I slept the night at 41 Mary Street.
22nd. After breakfast
this morning I started for Aberdare and took train at
the Merthyr station.
We went as far as the tunnel and turned back because there was some
truck over the rails there in. I had to
wait 2 hours and a half and then we had to change trains and pass the
obstruction. I reached Aberdare and called at my Brother Jenkins and from thence I
went to my sister Margarets where I took of some
refreshment. In company with Thomas Werret we visited Thomaas Evans Milstreet and I bid them goodby. I slept the night at my brother Jenkins
house.
23rd. This morning I took farewell of my sister and
brothers families. My br. gave me one pound sterling and sister
Margaret gave me one of my mothers handkerchiefs and 3 shillings in money. In company with D. John we left Aberdare and wnt by way of Cefnpennar but Rees Williams was not at home. We continued on our way and called at mountain
ash and there visited many of the brethern. They are very poor at present owing to the
strike that is amongst them. In the last
named place we took train for Treorki and there
called at Timothy Wisley, Brother D. John there and I
went to Treherbert to my brother in laws house and
there slept the night.
24th. In company with D.
John we visited the Mardy, it is rather a difficult
place to get into. The mountains is very steep and it is situated between
them. Sister Jones was not at home, but
the daughter gave us of some refreshment and was very free and kind unto
us. She expressed a wish to see me again
the following Monday. We returned home,
him to Treorki and I to Treherbert
and there slept the night at my brother in laws house.
25th. At 1:30 p.m. I met with the saints at Tylaeoch
where I was called to address the meeting upon the topics of the day. The strike and other
things. I told them that the
indignation of the Lord was upon all nations and that the elements of desolution was all governments and ere long will burst
forth and cause great trouble unto them.
We also met in the evening and I was called to address the audience in
English. I showed the inconsistency of
the nations professing the same religions, fighting and sheding
each others blood. I took farewell of
all the saints. And
slept the night at my brother in laws house.
26th. I went as far as mardy according to promise and there enjoyed myself first
rate in the company of sister Jones and others that were there at the
time. On a visit she gave me 18 pence
for a gift to assist me on my way. In
the evening I had a chat with my sister.
She expressed a wish to accompany me home to Salt Lake City, but she has not faith enough to leave all for the
Gospels sake. I slept the night at the
same place as I did last night.
27th. I have been busy
this day posting my Journal. I remained
at home all day and was well entertained by my sister. I also slept at her house through the night.
28th. This morning I took
farewell of my sister, it was hard to part with her, being that she has been so
good unto me while here on my mission.
God bless her and may the peace of heaven rest upon her. And if it ever comes within my power to do
her any good I shall do it. I took train
at Trehurbert to Cardiff. I arrived
there in due time and called at Henry Gardner and took farewell of his
family. I continued on my way and
reached Bristol in due time, and there slept the night.
29th. We have been busy
this morning with the books in the afternoon we visited brandon
hill to get a little fresh air in the evening we visited Sister Hamer and took tea with her and spent a very agreeable
evening, and were greatly amused by Br. Niblet and
others that were present on the occation through
their singing and recitations. We slept
the night at 7 Tower Hill.
30th. In company with
William M. Browely we visited John Oborne and took dinner with him after which, we visited
many conspicious places in the city amongst several
things we saw a steamer this going to sail to New York. From this port with passengers. We slept the night at 7 Tower Hill.
July 1st. In company with William M. Bromley and Mr.
Hodges we took a walk around town and met with a Methodist preacher who told us
that he saw a man that had received the holy ghost
which made him a raving maniac and it took four men to hold him. He said that if it was necessary to be
baptized in order to get into the kingdom of God
that he would never get there for he would not be baptized. In the evening we visited Hodges and took
supper with them. We slept the night at
7 Tower Hill.
2nd. In company with Willia M. Bromley we went to the station and took train for
Chellenham.
And I went to see Mr. Hodges and partook of a dinner with him. I met with the saints at 7 Tower Hill where I
spoke unto them at considerable length upon the duty of a saint and the
blessings that await the faithful. We
also had a meeting in the evening, when I preached upon the first principles of
the Gospel. There were present a good
many strangers. The spirit of God gave
me utterance and all present felt well.
I met in council with the priesthood of the Bristol Branch where I
ordained a young man unto a deacon, George Reynolds from the Liverpool office gave us a call. He was
on his way to Devonshire to attend his aunts
funeral. I took of some refreshments and
continued on my way. I slept the night
at 7 Tower Hill.
3rd. I took dinner at sister Hamer
after which, I wrote a letter to be published in the Star. In the evening I had an interview with Mr.
Hodges, he promised me that he would be baptized before I would leave for
home. I slept the night at 7 Tower Hill.
4th. I have been with
the Taylor this morning trying my coat on. I also had my feet measured for a pair of
boots. I slept the night at 7 Tower
Hill.
5th. I bought me a bag
to carry my clothes home. I also bought
a dress pattern for my wife. In the
afternoon I visited Mr. Hodges who is sick.
I suppose the devil is trying to cheat him out of his salvation because
he promised me to be baptized before I would leave for home, consequently his
sickness has come upon him to thwart that purpose. In the evening I met with the saints at 7
Tower Hill in a prayer meeting. I spoke
to a good length and told them that the Lord was withdrawing his spirit from
this land. And that the Saints were
going to sleep and that it would no be many years before this mission would be
called home. I slept the night at 7 Tower
Hill.
6th. Bro. Bromley came
home this morning in company with him, we took a walk through town. I bought a cap. In the evening we visited bro. Rawles and slept the night at 7 Tower Hill.
7th. In company with W. M. Bromley we took a walk
as far as Brandon Hill where we had a good view of the town which contains
183,000 inhabitants. In the evening we
visited Mr. Hodges and had a good chat with him and his family and also took
supper with them. We slept the night at
7 Tower Hill.
8th. I do not feel well
this morning for the reason I did not partake of any breakfast. Mr. Hodges brought some paint for me to paint
my name on my box. I bought me some
gooseberries in order to get the seed.
In the afternoon in company with W. M. Bromley we visited a portion of
the city where there were some soldiers training. They appeared very nice in their
uniforms. In the evening we had some
singing and slept the night at 7 Tower Hill.
9th. In company with W.
M. Bromley and Mr. Hodges we went to hear an independent preacher. He said that a man must believe all the
scripture in order to be saved in the kingdom of God. In the evening I preached unto a large
audience [in] Welsh. Listened very
attentively it was my best sermon to the Bristol Saints after meeting we took
supper at Mrs. Frost and had a long talk with her upon the principles of the
Gospel. We slept the night at 7 Tower
Hill.
10th. In company with W.
M. Bromley we have been very busy getting the emmigrant
luggage together into the Midland Station.
In the evening the Saints met together in a social party as a token of
respect of my departure home. After we
had partaken of a scrumptious dinner and the tables cleared we had good times
in speaking, reciting and singing. I
never felt better in my life and all present felt well. I slept the night at 7 Tower Hill.
11th. This morning I left
Tower Hill and took breakfast at William Niblets and
after a good deal of trouble we got the passengers into the carriage assigned
for to take us unto Liverpool. It is raining
incessently (goodby old Bristol). I said to
the saints cheer up and we will soon be in Salt Lake Cit. We reached Liverpool at 2:30
p.m. without
an accidents and immediately after our arrival I went unto the office
and got the Brethern and sister passages all sent
down to the landing. And a tug boat took
all the Saints and their luggage into the steamer Colorado which was laying in the
river. I returned with the boat and went
to the Mellenial Star Office and there took my supper
and stopped over the night at 49 Great Croshall Street.
12th. I took of breakfast
this morning where I lodged, last night after which I hastened to the M. Star
Office where I bought 4 catechisms to take home unto my children and went down
to the docks where there was a tug boat ready to take us unto the Colorado and
there took possession of my state room in connection with Br. Park. At 4 p.m.
the vessel weighed anchor and moved down the river. In the evening we organized our little
company with for Mutual protection. We
slept the first night upon the sea.
13th. I am very sick this
morning. I went up on deck and in a few
moments I got well at 5 p.m.
we called at gunstown and took a few more passengers
on board. WE have now on board about 500
steerage passengers.
14th. The most of the
people on board are sick and myself in the bargain.
15th We
are all better this day and able to eat our allowance. I find that red herring is an exculant thing to draw appetite after sea sickness. And I would every passenger that goes at sea
to take a few with them. The weather is
very fine but a strong head wind which retards a little of our progress.
16th. This morning being
Sunday the captain of the ship read the Church of England service unto the
sailors and a good many of our people were present on the occation. The service was held in the cabin saloon. In the evening we held a meeting below the
deck. A good many unbelievers were
present who listened very attentively.
After meeting we administered unto the sick.
17th. It is a fine
morning the wind is yet blowing. The
most of the sick are getting well.
Suddenly the wind arose and the sea commenced to role
mountains high and the vessel commenced to toss about tremendiously and the people were shut down below
deck. As soon as there is an uncommon
move in the sea, my body gets out of order.
18th. The sea is calm
this morning and everything is moving about right.
19th. We have enjoyed our
selves very much today in song and praises to God. There is not much sickness amongst us today
the people begin to eat their allowance with eagerness which denotes health.
20th. A fog this day
which causes to blow the vessel very often.
I am pleased with the good feeling that is amongst the passengers in
general.
21st. This is a fine day the fish are out
playing. A school of parpies
were also seen. I had a conversation
with a cabin passenger today concerning Utah. He said that
he was glad to hear of our successes as a people and was favorable impressed
towards since he has conversed with us Elders.
In the evening we had good singing after prayer.
22nd. All is well today
the sea is rather troublesome. It is
rather warm in our room. Tonight the
window is shut on account of the sea being rough.
23rd. We met this morning in the Salloon, to hear the Captain read the Church of England
service. At 6 p.m. we had the privilege with the captain to preach on
deck, himself and all the cabin passengers with all
the officers and sailors were present and about 3 hundred steerage
passengers. Br. Park and myself addressed the audience. I spoke upon the necessity of a prophet and the
following text. The Lord God will do nothing
but revealeth his secret unto his servants the
prophets. Br. Park bore his
testimony. All listened very attentively
to what was said. I think we left a good
impression upon all that were present.
25th. Land is in sight this morning at 9 a.m. We anchored
for the doctor to come on board. All the passengers past before him. We landed in New York and remained in Castle Gardens with the exception of the returning Elders whom
stopped at Stephens Hotel. I received of
Willam C. Staines 10
dollars in greenbacks to assist me home.
26th. This morning early
we put our luggage on the boat, ready for to be shipped across the river after
which, we went to purchase provitions for the
company. At 1 p.m. we left Castle Gardens and took a boat at pier no. 1 for the Jersey
side from which place we took the railroad cars at 7 p.m. We slept in
the cars last nights.
27th. Early this morning
we arrived at Harrisburg and there stopped 20 minutes. Continued on our journey and accended the Pennsylvania mountains we were pulled by
2 engines. A little beyond the top of
this mountain is a station by the name of Crescent near it is a great park
prepared by the wealthy men of the country for a summer retreat. After passing this point the brethern and sisters sung the songs of Zion. The
conductors of the train were well pleased with our singing. We arrived in Pittsburg at 10 p.m.
where we stopped over night in the same cars as we came in.
28th. We changed cars and
started at 7
a.m. very foggy, but we
traveled fast. We arrived at Crestline
where we stopped 3 hours. Many lines
meet here. I took dinner at an Hotel. The first
on American soil shich cost me 40 cents.
29th. We arrived in Chicago at 7:30 a.m. here we have to make another change of cars. We started from the above named place at 10:45 a.m. We crossed the
Mississippi River at 4 p.m. at Clinton Toway here is
several Steam Mills to work cutting lumber which is brought down in ranfts on the river.
30th. After traveling all
night we found ourselves at Dunlip where the train
stopped 30 minutes for breakfast. After
which we continued on our way. And
arrived at the Missouri River at 10 a.m.
and crossed the said river in a boat.
And in 2 hours we went unto the cars that are to take us across the
plains, but we will have to stop here for some time yet, because of some of the
road being washed away in the late storm.
I have been busy the most of the day dealing provision to the
passengers. I slept the night in the
cars.
31st. I am yet busy dealing provision to the
saints. George Barton put his portmantare on my hat which damaged it so that it is not
much account. He threatened to do it
when we were in New
York. Inasmuch as he did it purposely I shall not
forgive him untill he pays for the hat. We started from Omaha at 3 p.m.
and after traveling 15 miles we came to the damaged place where we were delayed
for a few moments we got over the newly mended road without any damage, but we
did not travel fast last night, only 47 miles through the whole night.
August 1st. We traveled along today without any hindrence. In the
afternoon we returning Elders conversed a little upon the principle of
ancestry. I said that I had not seen one
honest man in all the world. George Barton said that
he was an honest man. In reply I said
that did not consider a man honest that would destroy another mans
property. He said that he did not do it
purposely. I told him if it was not
purposely done that it would be all right, if not that you would have to pay
for it dear some way or another.
2nd. All is well this
morning. We are traveling along
fine. Last night was a cold night,
nothing of any note transpired through the night, with the exception of Davis family which created a little excitement being rather
noisy.
3rd. We traveled through a very rugged country today
also through sandy mountains there was not spare of grass to be seen upon them.
4th. We arrived at Ogden at 7 a.m.
and the most of the passengers went by rail to Salt Lake City. Immediately
after our arrival in the above named place I went to see Joseph Parry at his
residence on my way thither I met with David Kimbal who
treated me with a glass of ale and preferred to pay for my dinner. But I thought better to dine at Parrys where I did so and had all the apples that I could
eat with him. At 5:30 p.m. I took train for Salt Lake City and was accompanied hither by Brigham Young, Daniel
H. Wells and George A. Smith and several other prominent gentlement. A
good many of my children were waiting my arrival at the depot. I went home with them and was welcomed home
by my wife and the balance of my children.
And had a good time together. I thank God the Supreme Ruler of the universe
for his protecting care which has been over us in our absence from each
other. How well did the poet sing. Home Home sweet
home, there is not place on earth like home.
This I have fullfilled one preaching
mission.
